Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services, Sustainable Societies and Digitalisation

Studies

The Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services specialisation equips students to design, develop, and implement accessible digital services and environments for both public and private sectors. The curriculum goes beyond basic web accessibility education, addressing a wide range of societal domains such as culture, media, and game accessibility, as well as the accessibility of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

Students are trained not only to meet the requirements of accessibility legislation but also to design services that exceed legal standards. The specialization fosters an understanding of the diverse needs of individuals with and without disabilities, promoting inclusive and human-centered design practices.

Course Themes

The courses cover topics such as accessibility legislation and policy, identifying beneficiaries of accessible design, and producing accessible services from multiple perspectives. These include subtitling, accessible communication, sign language, website design, assistive technologies, and adaptive strategies. The studies emphasize ethical and sustainability considerations in the development and application of digital technologies and provide methods for critical and sustainable design practice.

Courses included

• Fundamentals of Accessibility
• Project Course
• Accessibility Project Work
• Introduction to Sustainable Digital Life  
• Accessible Digital Society
• Accessible Design  
• Sustainable Design
• Thesis seminar  
• Master’s Thesis

Project-based learning

The specialization responds to the growing demand for accessibility expertise in an increasingly digital world. Accessibility should be considered from the outset when planning digital services, but existing services can also be adapted to meet accessibility standards.

Recognizing that accessibility intersects with all aspects of life, the program adopts a multidisciplinary approach. It acknowledges that accessibility is not only a technical challenge but also a social one, requiring a holistic understanding of the barriers faced by people with disabilities. The program is project-based: students will carry out an accessibility project in collaboration with stakeholders, integrated into their Master’s Thesis. The program also aims to be genuinely accessible to all eligible students.

Master’s Degree Programme

The Master’s Programme in Sustainable Societies and Digitalisation, with a specialisation in Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services, focuses on understanding the diversity of digital cultures. Upon completion, students will be able to critically assess the role of digital media and information and communication technologies in contemporary and future societies, recognizing their ethical and societal implications.

The programme includes the following academically independent specialisations, each with a distinct study profile:

• Accessibility and Diversity in Digital Services (ADDS)
• Sustainable Digital Life (SDL) (no admission in 2026)
• Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies (AISS) (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programme)